Xander Padilla gets officially sworn in to be a member of the Chicopee Police Department.
Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — Mayor John Vieau and the Chicopee Police Department were able to fulfill a dream for Make-A-Wish recipient Xander Padilla by swearing him in to be a cop for the day.
Padilla is 7 years old and was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, which can severely affect the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body.
Last month, the Chicopee Police Department escorted Padilla to a jungle themed Disney party before he left for Walt Disney World Resort, a wish that was granted by Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Xander Padilla enjoys a donut after being sworn in as police officer.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
On Aug. 6, the Chicopee Police Department were able to make another wish come true by offering Padilla to become an honorary police officer for a day.
During a special swearing in ceremony, Vieau and Police Chief Patrick Major shared on few words on the honor before making it official.
Vieau talked about how excited he is for Padilla to join such a great group of men and women who keep the city safe.
He added, “I can tell you Xander that being a new police officer in Chicopee comes with a lot of responsibility and I know you are very brave. I’m excited for you because you know what’s happening you’re joining a family. When you work for the Chicopee Police Department it’s not just a job, it’s a career. You are now one of Chicopee’s finest.”
Major talked about the qualities that police officers exude and how he sees those same traits in Padilla.
Major said, “I want to congratulate officer Xander Padilla on graduating the police academy and joining the Chicopee Police Department. Policing these days is not easy. The caliber of person leading in our department is very high and what we need from somebody is loyalty to our community, integrity, being true to yourself and your performance as a police officer and above all else, strength and courage. I can ensure everybody that officer Xander Padilla has all of those traits that we’re looking for.”
Padilla received a certificate from the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee for basic training for graduating from the MPTC academy one day course.
State Sen. Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow) was also at the ceremony to present Padilla with a citation from the senate congratulating him on graduating from the department and becoming a police officer.
It read, “Let it be known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its congratulations to Xander Padilla of Chicopee, Massachusetts in recognition of you being named a cop for the day in the city of Chicopee in a wish granted through the Make-A-Wish foundation recognizing your love and your respect for police officers and law enforcement.”
After the ceremony, Padilla enjoyed some donuts from Dunkin’ and began his duties for the day.
